Jennings Educators Institute Session 2
How can you create a culture of professional learning at your school? And what does teacher self-care have to do with student growth?
Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022
Time: 8 am – noon
Presenters: Cassie Muller and James Kutnow
Session Description
In this session, you will have the opportunity to experience, observe, and discuss school structures, protocols, and strategies designed to put learners - adults and kids - at the center. What does this mean, exactly? It involves designing school structures so that staff and students feel seen, cared for, and valued, have opportunities to reflect on and advance their unique strengths, and have both the agency and support to make meaningful change through their school work.
All participants will experience an EL Education small group advisory structure that is applicable for school staff and students called Crew. Staff Crew is time dedicated to relationship building, developing a culture of respect and collaboration, and furthering reflection and learning related to school-wide goals, like developing as anti-bias, anti-racist educators. Student Crew is time dedicated to relationship building between students and teachers, academic reflection and goal setting, and character development.
Guiding Questions for this session
- How can we design learner-centered schools for adults and kids?
- What does teacher self-care have to do with student learning?
Please read the book excerpt and article linked below. Select 2-3 quotes from each reading that resonate with you or expand your thinking.
Session 2 Pre-Reading Materials
Session Resources
Session Links
View Session Presentation Slide Deck
Meet the Presenters
Cassie Muller
- Position: Dean of Academics, Graham Elementary and Middle School, Columbus, OH
Cassie Muller is the Dean of Academics at Graham Elementary and Middle School (GEMS) in Columbus, OH. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in Middle Childhood Math and Science Education where she played Division I Volleyball. Cassie has taught middle school math at GEMS from 2011 - 2020 when she transitioned to be one of the school's instructional coaches. Cassie has presented a few times at the EL Education National Conference ("Mathematical Argumentation" and "Tracking Habits Data") and in 2020 was awarded Gerioge B Chapman, Jr. Teacher Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.
James Kutnow
- Position: Executive Dean, Graham Elementary and Middle School, Columbus, Ohio
James Kutnow has been with The Graham Family of Schools for 14 years and helped to open GEMS in 2010. He earned his MS in Student Affairs & Higher Education Administration from Indiana State University and worked in various university student affairs positions for the first 10 years of his post-college career. Some of his current professional interests include restorative practices, trauma-informed practices, and transformational coaching.